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The past two years have been relentless for creatives, and even in the first quarter of the year,, the losses keep piling up with no end in sight. Staying creative, hopeful, or even grounded feels harder than ever.

In this episode, I sit down once again with acclaimed grief counselor and bestselling author Christina Rasmussen to talk about navigating loss in times of crisis. She shares valuable insight on how to cope when back-to-back losses shake the foundation of our creative lives, leaving us questioning who we are and what’s left to hold onto. Instead of the usual “power through” mentality, Christina offers a different approach—one rooted in self-compassion, asking for help, and finding strength in community. Together, we explore how to apply these ideas in moments of uncertainty and what it means to stay true to ourselves even when the industry feels unrecognizable.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by it all, this conversation is for you. It’s a reminder that even in the hardest times, you’re not alone—and that your creative voice still matters.

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Here's What You'll Learn:

How life’s changes often come with unexpected losses—and why they matter
KEY TAKEAWAY: Without losses we’d have no way to measure the gains
What “life re-entry” really means and how to move forward after grief
The important lesson Zack learned from losing his dad
Why community is essential—and why putting your head down and powering through isn’t enough
How a lack of self-compassion can distort our perception of reality and keep us stuck
What to do when losses start to feel overwhelming
Overcoming the fear and reluctance of reaching out for help
How to stay true to your creative self even when everything is falling apart
Finding fulfillment and staying creative in times of deep uncertainty
Christina puts me in the hot seat, challenging me to reflect on my own period of uncertainty

Useful Resources Mentioned:

Ep256: Overcoming the Grief of “Invisible Losses” (Including Losing Your Job), and Getting Out of “Survival Mode” | with Christina Rasmussen

Christina Rasmussen’s website

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Guest Bio:

christina-rasmussen-bio Christina Rasmussen

Christina Rasmussen is an acclaimed grief educator and bestselling author of Second Firsts (Hay House, 2013), Where Did You Go? (Harper One, 2018), and Invisible Loss (Sounds True, 2024). In 2010, four years after her thirty-five-year-old spouse passed away from Stage 4 colon cancer, she created the Life Reentry process, which launched her on a mission to bring compassion, grace, and validation to thousands, while simultaneously establishing an exit from what she termed the Waiting Room.

Christina holds a master’s degree in guidance and counseling (University of Durham). She is currently finishing her master of fine arts degree in painting and drawing (Academy of Art). Her grief work has been featured on ABC News and in Women’s World, the Washington Post, and the White House Blog.

In her spare time, she is learning to play the piano and planning her first trip to the edge of space. She works and lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, Eric, and their two dogs.

Show Credits:

This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared by Debby Germino and published by Glen McNiel.

The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/optimize-yourself/exclusive-content

Ep271: How to Keep Moving Forwards After You've Lost Everything | with Christina Rasmussen

The Zack Arnold Podcast